Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization comprised of individuals who want to improve our communities. We attend Kiwanis Club meetings for fellowship and inspiration and perform voluntary community service at times convenient to our members.

Kiwanis was formed in Detroit in 1915. There are now some 325,000 Kiwanians worldwide, who belong to more than 8,500 clubs in over 71 countries. Kiwanians are men and women of all ages, races, religions, and personal backgrounds. The name Kiwanis comes from a Native American phrase that can be roughly translated as "to express one's self." [Go to the Kiwanis International web site.]

The Kiwanis Club of Northside Atlanta was founded on the night of Thursday, May 13, 1948 at a dinner meeting at the Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. A petition for charter in Kiwanis International was signed by 26 men who were elected temporary officers. These men selected the name that the club now bears. Weekly luncheons at the Biltmore began the next day.

Formal organization was completed on the night of Friday, May 28, 1948, at the Piedmont Driving Club. On June 25, 1948, Northside Kiwanis received its charter as the 74th Kiwanis Club in Georgia. At that time, 84 charter members were enrolled on the club roster.

At the time of its organization and chartering, Northside was dubbed "The Silk Hat Club" by its founders, the Downtown Atlanta Kiwanis Club. The silk hat emblem was adopted as the official insignia of the club shortly after the club began operating. Later in 1951, Henry Reid was credited with expressing the symbolism of the hat by coining the classic definition:

The wide brim represents the broad areas that we serve, the height represents our lofty ideals, and the sheen represents the brilliance of our achievements.

On May 29, 1998, the Northside Club members, past presidents and guests enjoyed a warm and spirited celebration of 50 years of fellowship, community service projects, programs and social gatherings. The group expressed great hopes and expectations for the future of the Kiwanis Club of Northside Atlanta.